ABU announces online degree

October 30, 2013

PHILIPPI - Alderson Broaddus University is pleased to announce its first online degree, the RN to BSN (RN-BSN) completion program. The news was announced during a press conference held in Burbick Hall Oct. 25.

"I am very eager to announce that as our university is thriving and we have welcomed over 500 new students to campus this fall, we now plan to offer our first fully online program, the RN to BSN program," said Dr. Brenda Mason, dean of the College of Health Sciences.

The RN-BSN program provides an affordable opportunity for associate degree or diploma nurses to complete a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) and advance their professional nursing career at only $295 a credit hour.

"For an RN working full-time, the curriculum allows for a BSN degree to be completed in 18 months as the program gives registered nurses an opportunity to advance their education, and ultimately their careers, in a fast-paced curriculum, designed so they can also continue to work," said Mason. "Our innovative program is built upon recent significant changes in healthcare, nursing practice and educational theory."

In 1945, AB started the first four-year BSN program in the state of West Virginia. This program carries with it the academic excellence that has been a hallmark of Alderson Broaddus for more than a century.

"With the Institute of Medicine calling for at least 80 percent of the nursing population to hold a BSN degree by 2020, the announcement of this degree comes at a very good time," said Mason. "It's the perfect resolution for the growing number of nurses who have inquired about our program but, because of their schedules, found it difficult to get to campus."

The online courses are scheduled to be taught every eight weeks by experienced faculty, and be delivered through easy-to-use technology backed by customer service aimed to ensure student success. AB offers rolling admissions for this program with the next class starting Jan. 6.

"I have seen the boundless opportunities in the healthcare field, and feel privileged to participate in the education of the next generation of these professionals," said Mason.

Alderson Broaddus University is working on adding more academic initiatives, including additional online programs and the offering of new master degrees. These new changes will be announced soon.